Power transmission mechanism



March l5, 1938. A. MADLE 2,111,149

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed May 5, 1955 T E a@ l zT-.r1 54 62 FLM- www2/7,5%( w ATTO Patented Msi-.ia l193s vil'lvl'lit-:D STATES Irowlilt mnsmssron nommen Alain Maill, Bristol,

V.silznortournoi Conn., i Corporation. New York, N. Y a oorporation of New York Amma@ my s, ma serai No. lstorm 3l Clalml. (Cl. `Plz-F5239) This invention relates to variable speed power transmission mechanisms and particularly to automatically operative means for causing such mechanism to assume 'a predetermined ratio set- 5 ting upon predetermined changes in the operating conditions aiiecting the prime mover. i

For purposes of convenience of reference jthe prime mover will hereinafter be referred toas the motor and in the embodiment herein illustrated this has been disclosed as electrically energid. My invention has therefore been lllus trated as particularly arranged for functioning in connection with electricity as `the source of energy, although it will be understood that as to the broaderphases thereof, my. invention can be embodied in an arrangement peculiarly adapted for sources of power other than electricity.

The stoppage of a motor, transmitting through a variable speed power transmission while in high speed ratio, leaves the onl in a ratio setting which will place maximum load upon the motor when it is restarted, and in fact, will make it impossible to restart the motor, where, for example, the motor stopped bffause of an overload. It is to be understood, that by the term "high speed ratio" as used hereinafter. I mean a ton ratio in which the speed of the driven member as compared to that of the driving member or motor is relatively high. so that the torque to be overcome by the motor is' rela-'-A 'tivelyhiglt And further by the'term"low. speed ratio" or low ratio I mean va transmission ratio 'ln'which the speed'of the drivenmember as compared to that of the. driving memberis relatively low; so that the torque to be overcome by the motor'isrelatively low. t y V One of the objectsv oi. mylinventionv involves association with a variable speed power tram#l f vmission.'inechanisin. of means antor'r'iaticallyfop.V 40jerative, whenv the motor ceases' operatinm` to' the n info position oflourA ratio. jIn the embodiment herein when! ,the motor is electrically driven. .the automatif cally operative means lare lor purposes of illustration, as being m'iheirogmcz .sn air-1 rangement responsive to in current: 4and voltage. as to have the insumcient' toproperly energize the motor, although the broaderphases of my invention may bc attained so' where such means are responsive toa factor other` than drop in voltage. l Y *i My invention has been lllustratedzin'vfvconnecd' tionwitn altpowertransnissionfmechanism of the adhesive type which!! villlltiuously variable:

ss and in controllable independently of the power transmittedby the motor, are eifected by the .motive power. In such a transmission, asia practical matter, the on ratio, can be changed only while the parte of the trn ,are in motion. 5 Therefore, unless the ratio is low at the time of the stoppage of the motor, .the restarting ot the motor must beeii'ected under the highload conditions of maximum speed which'is apt to be impossible. t f l It is therefore a further object .of my invention -to provide an arrangement which becomes automatically voperative immediately upon the vceasing ofthe flow of energy `to the moto as for example, the shutting on of the electric cur- 15 rent and while the motor is still operatingunder momentum. to eect a change in the ratio voi' transmission to low ratio.

Similar problems to those referred to exist where overload conditions occur while the ratio 20 is above the minimum, andxny invention also contemplates as one of its features the provision oi' an arrangement for automatically reducing .the ratio where such conditions occur. In the The following conditions resuiting'from over-v v35 loads are frequently metwlth: (l) a fuse blows vits-'the zresultof anoverload. (2) the motor "It the adjustingmechanism -is responsive quickly enough, it will to reduce the 'speed ratio beforecithcr of'these occurrences '40 4 takel places, "The, mechanism should .therefore befslo designed in relation speed of action `.of theprotective dv'ices,such and the rapidity of slowing iii-thc motor, as to avoideither of theabove-fmentio'ned 'occurrences. 45

Mir'i'm'ention, is-

as embodied in a device'in'which (al the motive power is electricity ib) the nis oi' the adhscl vs ivecxmtinuously variable type comprising races 1 and rollers and- (c) rollers are free `toglie vgm angled about an axis `sionisti-iconv through imei 'l points ,of adhesive contact of the and rollers,Vv and id) the rotation of the the ,rollers when-angled-to tilt cause a/eontinuous'ratio change". f f;

The invention as to one of its phases, takes the form of an' arrangement which is responsive to a voltage drop sufficient to cause the motor to cease operating, and to automatically cause the aforementioned angling of the rollers in such direction that upon the continued operation of the races under momentum the roller shifting will be eifected to tilt the rollers to a position of minimum ratio of transmission.

As to another of its phases the invention takes the form of a similararrangement. operative, however, only where .the electric current input into the motor is excessively high.

It will be understood, of course, that a single arrangement can serve both phases and I have so illustrated my invention.

The arrangement herein illustrated and disclosed is subject to variations without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the manner of energizing the motor will vary the arrangement. So too the functioning of the arrangement need not be dependent upon abnormal conditions `of power W.

For the attainment of the aforementioned objects and of such other objects as will hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention in the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of my invention showing an illustrative lay-out of the electric circuits;

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a transmission mechanism showing associated therewith certain details of my invention; and

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before proceeding to describe the details which may be associated with the practical embodiments of mir-invention, I will proceed to describe its general features and general operation as applied to an electric motor.

On viewing Figure 1 of the drawing it will be observed that I have shown an electric motor 20 which is energized fromfthe power line 22. A switch 24 is interposed between the line and the motor, as are also protective devices such as delayed action, overload relays 25. which may be fuses. The power line has been shown as supplying three-phase alternating current, by way of example, but it will be obvious from the description which follows that my invention is equally applicable to other types of electric power. Across two of the conductors of the power line is shunted a solenoid 26, and in series with one of the conductors of the power line is a solenoid 28, which is part of a circuit-breaking device of the quick-break overload type and acts to open the circuit ofsolenoid 26 by means of switch 21, when it becomes active due to an overload in the conductor.

Solenoid 26 has associated with it a plunger or other moving part which, when the solenoid is de-energized suiciently will be caused, by the action of some means such as a spring, to release mechanism which will be effective to set the speed ratio of the transmission in a desired manner. De-energization of solenoid 26, total or partial, may take place as a result of opening of the switch 24, of operation of. the overload relays 25, of the burning out or short circuiting of part of the electric circuit, or` of other causes which it is believed unnecessary to enumerate.

If the load on the motor increases so that the current passing into the saine exceeds a certain predetermined amount, the solenoid 28 will be with it.

energized so as to open the switch 2l associated The effect of this also will be to break the circuit of solenoid 26 and to de-energize th same.

It is next proposed to describe the application of my invention in connection with a power transmission mechanism of a type for providing speeds continuously variable within certain limits and in which `a system of rotating races is provided, which have rolling bodies between them, and in adhesive contact with them, to transmit motion from the driving race or races to the driven race or races. Speed variation is effected by tilting the axes of the rolling bodies so as to change their points of contact with the races and thereby to vary the relative rotational speeds of .the driving and driven races. It is a characteristic of such systems that in order to effect ready tilting of the rollers for purpose of speed variation the parts must be moving and it is therefore important that any setting of the speed ratio be effected while the parts are still moving, and before they have come to a stop due to the stoppage of the motor. In effecting the tilting of the rollers, it is further customary in modern practice to make use of the principles of gyrostatic precession, according to which pressure is applied against the axis of tilting of the roller in a direction at right angles to the direction in which it is desired to tilt the roller. This principle is well understood and a system of variable speed power transmissions of the type to which I have reference will be found disclosed in the patent to Erban, No. 1,619,813 of March 8, 1927. The tilting of the rollers to cause speed variation is customarily effected by a moving member which, by a system of links, racks or similar devices, causes the tilting of the roller axes. For the sake of simplicity, I have illustrated a simple form of roller tilting device, in which the principle of gyrostatic precession is not used since the latter construction introduces complexities into which it is unnecessary to go in order to get a proper understanding of my del vice.

With the aid of this preliminary explanation, the construction and operation of an illustrative embodiment of my invention as applied to this type of variable speed transmission will be readily understood on reference to Figures 2 and 3. In said gures 26 indicates the solenoid already mentioned in connection with Figure 1. The solenoid 26 has associated with it an armature or plunger 29 carrying a pin 32 which plunger and pin are urged upward by a spring 30, but when the solenoid is energized, will be pulled downward by magnetic action to engage with an opening 34 provided in a member 36, by means of which the angular relation of rollers 38 to races 42 may be controlled for the purpose of effecting a change in the speed ratio of the transmission. Such control of the angular relation of the rollers iseffected through member 36 by means of elements 4I which impart motion of 36 to carriages 39 within which rollers 38 are journalled. The details of such a construction are not necessary to an understanding of my invention as they are well known. However, reference may be made to the Erban patent hereinbefore mentioned as using the gyrostatic principle or to the patent to Spencer, No. 682,763 of September 17, 1901 showing an older and simpler construction. Member 36 is pushed in a direction effective to reduce the ratio of speed transmission, by a compression spring M. Y, This actionV of the spring, however, cannot take place as long as the pin 32. engages the opening 34 in the` member 36, because the `pin and the solenoid with which it is associated are held against movement by the shifting carriage 50 with which they are fixedly associated, which carriage is adjustably held in position by a shifting screw 52 actuated through suitable gearing'54`by a wheel 56, which is shown as a hand Wheel, but may, of course,fbe operated vby motive power where desired or necessary, as where great power is required for the adjustment,' or-where the control station is remote. l It will'be obvious that while the carriage 50 may be shifted by the hand wheel 56, it will be impossible if the screw 2 is suit'- ably pitched, for the springs 44 to move the carriage and gearing 54 may also be made irreversiblefor this purpose. It will, of course, be 'understood that the transmission may be enclosed in a suitable housing which it is not necessary to describe, and that for the purpose of simplicity and compactness all the parts described may beassociated with such housing in any convenient way.

In connection with the general description of the parts just given, it will be understood that normally, when the motor is running, the solenoid 26 will have sufcent current passing through it to keep the pin 32 in engagement with the opening 34 in member 36, which will be held in a certain position, which position, however, may be altered at any time, as desired, by adjustment through the wheel 56. If for any reason, the voltage, and consequently the current, of solenoid 26 drops below a predetermined point, the spring 30 will move the pin 32 upward and out of the opening 311,` ythereby releasing the roller shifting member 36 and'permitting the spring 44 to move member 36 into a position in which it will cause the `rollers of the transmission to tilt so as to reduce the transmission ratio. When this has taken place, if the motor isv again started, it will do so under themost favorable load conditions, which are those of low speed transmission and therefore of light starting load. `Once the parts are again running,'a resetting vvrod 48 connected to member 36 may be used to push the said member against the action of spring into;

f ratio when the transmission is at rest. the new adjustment cannot be given to the speed ratio until after the motor has again been started.

If the mechanism driven through the transmission consists of parts possessing lgreat, inertia,

such as heavy ily-wheels or the like, it may happen, unless the transmission is carefully designed, that in attempting to reduce the transmission ratio, the heavy parts will only gradually acquire has been shown in Figure 2 inthe form `of a ,Y dash-pot 58 of any suitable type, the piston 60 of which is xedly associated with the aforementioned push-rod 48, and the speed of action of which is controllable by the adjustable valve 62.

Push-rod- 48 may be provided with a pushbutton head64, by means of which it may be conveniently pushed inward after it has been pushed, outward asa result of the automatic ratio setting action. n y Having thus described Lmy invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

` 1. In a system of power transmission in which motive power is transmittedirom a prime mover to a load at variable speed, means for automaticallydecreasing the speed ratio of the transmission and means in the path of power input into the prime mover` for causing said automatic means to become operative under predetermined conditions of power input into the prime mover, and means drawing power from the power source along a path parallelto the path of power into the prime mover, for causing said automatic means to become operative under predetermined conditions of power input into the prime mover.

2. In a system of power transmission in which motive poweris transmitted from a motor to a load at variable speed, means for automatically decreasing the speed ratio of the transmission, means for causing said automatic means to become operative under predetermined conditions of power input into the motor, and an element in the path of the power input into the motor responsive to predetermined conditions of power flow into the motor for causing said second means to become operative and thereby to cause said automatic means to become operative. Y

3. In a system of power transmission in which motive power is transmitted from a prime mover to a load at a variable speed, means for automatinto the prime mover exceeds a predetermined maximum or falls below a predetermined minimum.

4. In a system of power transmission in which motive power is transmitted from an electric motor to a load at a variable speed, means for automatically decreasing the speed ratio of the transmission, and means to render said automatic speed varying means operativewhen the power input into the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum or falls below a predetermined minimum, said means comprising a coil shunted across the electric power line serving the motor, and a second coil in the power line in series with the motor and having means associated therewith for interrupting the current in said iirst coil. i

5. In a system of power transmission in which motive power is transmitted from an electric motor to a. load ata variable speed, means for automatically decreasing the speed ratio of the transmission, and means to render said automatic speed varying means operative when the power input into the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum or falls below a. predetermined minimum, said means comprising a coil shunted across the power line serving the motor, and a second coil in the power line in series with the motor and adapted to control the current in thefirst coil.

load at a variable speed, means for automatically decreasing the speed ratio of the transmission, and means to render said automatic'speed varying means operative when the power. input into the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum or falls below a predetermined minimum, said means 6. In a systemof power transmission in which motive power is transmitted from a motor to al comprising an element responsive to a decrease oi' the power input below said minimum; and an element responsive to an increase of the power input above-said maximum to cause operation o! said ilrst element.

'1. In a power transmission mechanism in which -motive power is transmitted from a motor to the loadat a torqueratio capable of variation, means for varying said torque ratio,V andmeans rendered operative by reduction of the power input into the motor below a predetermined amount 'i'or varying said torque ratio so as to reduce the torque required of the motor, manually operable means to restore said torque ratio to normal. and means to lock said manually operable means to said means for varying the torque ratio.v

` 8. In a variable speed power ton system adapted to be interposed betweenv aprirne mover and a load, means for automatically setting the speed ratio4 of the on to its minimum speed ratio position. locking means for preventing operation of said ilrst means,V and means responsive to predetermined conditions of the power input into the prime mover to release said. lockingV means and render effective said 4means for automatically setting the speed ratio.

ratio.

10.1111 combination with a prime mover actu'- atedby the -flow thereinto, of power from an e source opower, and a. load driven by j 4said prime mover, and variable speed power transmission me I :m vintermediate said prime mover and said load, m adapted, when Vthe prsure causing the flow oi power into the prime mover, drops below apredetermined minimum, to

j lower the iwf-f ratio or er i .o n

meets. a l ,Ja-r l 1i. In me ation with a prime mover actuefe sis

riii) me by the n `mum, or when the flow ci powerintm the now thereintovof power from an e source oi powen'avload 'drivenby said prime mover, and variable.. powerv transmission rnechenism intermediate ,said prime mover and said load, and means'adapd. when the pressure causing the iiowo! power into 'the e mover drops below a" prede miniated by mover ex a o speed muc of said :y with -actu-- lower the mission vm intermediatesaid' prime mover and seid load, means adapted, when thev I pressure causing the tlow o! power into the'prime mover; drops below a l I to lower the speed ratio of said power' transmission mecV to its um value.

13. In combination with a prime-mover actuated by the ilow thereinto ofpowerfroni'an 4exsource of power, a load drlvenbysaid mfmover, and variable r Y. i ,said ratio thereinto ci power' fromv ternal source of power, and a load driven kby prime mover, and le speed power minimum.l f

wepower trans mission mechanism intermediate said prime mover land said load, and means adapted, when the pressure causing the ilow oi power into the prime mover drops below a predetermined minimum, or when the ilow oi power into the prime mover exceeds a predetermined maximum, to

lil-In combination with an electric motor, 'a

load driven thereby, and a variable speed power on mechanism intermediate the motor and the load', and means adapted. when the current ilow into the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum, or when the voltage causing said c urrent ilow drops below a predetermined minimum, to lower the speed ratio of said power 'transmission 16. In combination with an electric motori a load driven thereby and a variable speed power on mechanism intermediate the motor and theload, and means adapted, when the voltage causing current ilow into the motor dropsbelow a predetermined minimum. to lower the speed ratio of said power trn mechanism to its minimum value.

17. In combination 'with an electric motor, a

. n 1 on mechanism intermediate the motor and the load, means for adjusting said transmissionmec mtovarythespeedratiooi the transmission mechanism and means independent oi' said adjusting means adapted to become operative when the ilow of Vcurrent into the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum, to

lower the speed ratio of said power transmissionY the load is variable, means for causing the ratio to assume its lowest value, manually adjustable means adapted tobe interlocked with said first meanssoastopreventitstunctioning whenso interlocked and to permit manual adiustment oi' .interlocking means for effecting said load driven thereby, and a variable speed power interlocking. and resetting means adapted to etfeet the interlocking after its interruption.

' 20. In a power on system in which the ratio of on between the motor and theloadisvariablameansiorcausingtheratio its lowest value'.V manuallyadlustable means bey interlocked with said rst means so as 'to prevent its functioning when so interlocked and to permit manual adjustment or said ratio, interlocking-means for effecting said interlocking, and resetting means whereby the interlocking may be effected when it is interrupted,- and said interlocking means being movable inresponse to predetermined conditions in the power line whereby power ows into the motor, so as to break the interlock.

21. In combination with an electric motor, a load driven thereby, and a variable speed power transmission mechanism intermediate the motor and the load, a first means normally adapted to lower the speed ratio to its minimum value, a second means to prevent the action of said first means, and a third means, effective when the inow of current into the motor exceeds a predetermined maximum, to render said second means ineiective, and thereby to cause said rst means to lower the speed ratio to its minimum value.

22. In combination with an electric motor, a load driven thereby, and a variable speed' power transmission mechanism intermediate the motor and the load, a first means normally adapted to lower the speed ratio to its minimum value, a second means to prevent the action ofsaid first means, and a third means, eiective when the iniiow of current into the motor drops below a predetermined minimum, to render said second means ineffective, and thereby to cause said first means to lower the speed ratio to its minimum value.

23. Control mechanism for a ratio changing transmission, said mechanism comprising yieldi ing means to bias said transmission toward its low ratio position, electrically responsive means to render said yielding means inoperative, and manually operable means to vary they ratio of said transmission.

24. Control mechanism for a ratio changing transmission, said mechanism comprising yielding means to bias said transmission toward its low ratio position, electrically responsive meansl trically responsive means to render said yielding means inoperative. f

26. A ratio changing transmission comprising 'manually operable means to vary the ratio of said transmission and a control mechanism therefor comprising yielding means to bias said transmission toward its low ratio position and electrically.

responsive means to render said yielding means inoperative, together with resetting means reciprocated by said yielding means in one direction and manually reciprocable in the other direction to reset said transmission and render said electrically responsive means operable.

27. A ratio changing transmission comprising manually operable means to vary the ratio of said transmission and a control mechanism therefor comprising yielding means to bias said transmission toward its low ratio position and electrically responsive means to render said yielding means inoperative, together with resetting means reciprocated by said yielding means in one direction and manually reciprocable in the other direction to reset said transmission.

28. A ratio changing transmission'comprising manually operable means to vary the ratio of said transmission and a control mechanism therefor comprising yielding means to bias said transmission toward its low ratio position and electrically responsive means to render said yielding means inoperative, together with resetting means reciprocated by said yielding means in one direction and manually reciprocable in the other direction to restore said transmission to its original ratio position.

29. A ratio changing transmission comprising manually operable means to vary the ratio of said transmission a control mechanism therefor comprising yielding means to bias said transmission toward its. low ratio position and electrically responsive means to render saidv yielding means inoperative, and means for controlling the speed o! ratio change effected by the' operation of the yielding means.

30. A ratio changing transmission comprising manually operable means to vary the ratio of said transmission anda control mechanism comprising yielding means to bias said transmission toward its low ratio position and electrically responsive .means to render said yielding means inoperative, together with resetting means reciprocated by said yielding means in one direction, manually reciprocable in the other direction to restore said transmission to its original ratio position and means for controlling the speed of operation of the restoring means.

31. 1n combination with a prime mover actuated by the ow thereinto of power from an external source of power, a load driven by said prime mover, and variable speed power transmission mechanism intermediate said prime mover and said load, and means adapted, when the flow of power into the prime mover exceeds a predetermined maximum, to lower the speed ratio of said power transmission mechanism.

ALAIN MADL. 

